Nelson, Hayward pass physicals; Rollins lands on NFI list

GREEN BAY — The Green Bay Packers’ good news of names not included on their physically unable to perform and non-football injury lists far outweighed the bad news of the four players who flunked their physicals and won’t be ready for Thursday’s training camp-opening practice.

First, the names that weren’t on any injury lists on the official NFL transaction wire Wednesday afternoon, meaning those players are good to go: Pro Bowl wide receiver Jordy Nelson (hip), de facto starting cornerback Casey Hayward (foot) and outside linebacker Nick Perry (shoulder). All three missed most or all of the team’s offseason organized team activity and minicamp practices with their various injuries.

That none of them were on the PUP or NFI lists means they all passed their physicals and have been officially medically cleared to practice. They made be eased into their workloads because of the time they missed in the spring, but that would be at the medical staff or coaching staff’s discretion.

Nelson underwent hip surgery after the 2014 season ended with the team’s loss at Seattle in the NFC Championship Game.

Other players who were not listed on any of the reserve lists: Wide receiver Jared Abbrederis, tackle Don Barclay and outside linebacker Andy Mulumba. All three are coming back from anterior cruciate ligament tears but did 11-on-11 work during minicamp.

Meanwhile, four players won’t be practicing Thursday morning: Outside linebacker Mike Neal, rookie running back John Crockett and wide receiver Ricky Collins will all open camp on the active PUP list, meaning they count against the roster and can start practicing as soon as they are cleared.

Rookie cornerback Quinten Rollins, the team’s second-round pick, was listed on the non-football injury list. Rollins being placed on NFI list means whatever is wrong with him happened after end of minicamp/before camp. Hayward, for example, suffered a hamstring injury in 2013 while working out on his own just before camp started.

Crockett suffered an ankle injury at end of OTAs/minicamp, while Neal did not practice all offseason.

McCarthy wasn’t sure what Nelson or Hayward’s status would be when he spoke with reporters during his annual pre-training camp press conference, although he didn’t sound overly concerned about either player.

“I think Jordy looks good. I know he’s been here,” McCarthy said. “All indications are [Hayward] looks good, but I don’t have anything official.”